Revin and Thorond approached an ancient fortress. It's gates were broken, and where the wall had been, now crumbling rock lay.

Thorond turned to Revin, "An ancient fortress, built by a people older than yours. The Galdoriam, they were called. Not much is known about them, except that they were a prosperous people. They were a strong people but not strong enough for one group of people, name of which is unknown. They swept through, raiding the villages and towns. Havens were built for the Galdoriam, and there the Galdoriam fought the vicious clan. Siege after siege, the Galdoriam soldiers fended off their enemy until finally after many years, the clan gave up.
But the Galdoriam stayed where they were. That was their mistake, for the mountains were later occupied by orcs, who found the Galdoriam living on the other side of the mountains. They raided these Havens, slaying the Galdoriam. There are few left now, and those who still live keep to themselves."
"How do you know all this?" Revin asked.
"I was as historian in my town," Thorond replied, "I would read the records ever so often."

Then Thorond looked at him seriously, "Be on your guard. Orcs still roam these old fortresses."

Revin thought about what had just been said. His eyes strayed towards the broken gates, "I'm ready."

"Good!" Thorond replied as he strode through a gap in the wall. Revin followed, sword in hand, ready for whatever lay ahead.

Half an hour passed, and it seemed to Revin that the fortress was more like a maze. They reached an archway leading into another room. Skeletons lay everywhere. Suddenly, Thorond stopped and edged away from the arch. Revin looked through a gap in the wall.

There, face down, lay a man, his short sword still clutched in his hand. The man groaned in pain. A pool of blood stained the rocks under him.

Thorond approached man, and, raising his axe, prepared to strike a blow to the man's head. Revin looked at him and said, "No Thorond! No! You cannot slay a helpless man even if he is your enemy!

Revin sheathed his sword and dropped his shield. Thorond sighed and lowered his axe. Revin kneeled over the man, and turned him over. The man groaned again, his right hand covered in dried blood.

His eyes opened and looked into the eyes of the Mythronian soldier.

Then he slowly moved his head towards Thorond. Suddenly, his eyes widened in terror, "Makorsh!" He said, "Please! Don't kill me! I beg of you! I'd rather die by the hand of my master than by you!"
"You'll die anyway if you're not treated soon!" Revin exclaimed.

The man stood up painfully. Thorond glimpsed on his tunic the sign of the Onrr lato! He ground his teeth in anger. Then Thorond looked into the young man's eyes. Hmmm, thought Thorond. This man was different. His eyes weren't the same as all the other Onrr lato. His eyes didn't show any signs of cruelty or anger.
He couldn't ponder this riddle any more, for the man fell forward, nearly hitting Revin! To his own surprise, Thorond caught him before he crashed!

"Hold onto him for now." Thorond told Revin. Revin let the man lean against him as Thorond set down his axe and undid his cloak. He laid it on the ground for the man to lie on.

While Thorond retrieved his axe, Revin looked at the man curiously. "Who did this to you?" Revin asked, "Surely not orcs, there is no sign of them."

The man sat up and looked at him, "My name is Nodar. And my captain...the leader of the Onrr lato, did this."
"But why?" Revin asked.
"I joined his band just two days ago. I asked him why we were searching this old... fortress... He wouldn't tell me. He just said... There was a special power that was lost long ago." Thorond strode over quickly, "He also said...that he would be able to have all power if he controled it. I realized that this special power...was a weapon that the Galdoriam used to fend off the-"
"How do you know all this?" Thorond questioned.
"Before I was banned from Mythron, I stole into a great...room filled with ancient scripts. I guess...I guess they didn't like that." He looked towards the west biting his lip.

Thorond looked at Revin gravely, we must go, quickly! The enemy will bring destruction to everybody if we don't stop them soon! I have a vague remembrance of where the Galcor is. Later I will tell you my plan!"

Revin grabbed his shield, and Nodar handed Thorond's cloak back to him.

When they were ready, Thorond said, "Whatever you do, don't make a sound! The Onrr lato could be close. We must head south, away from the Onrr lato." Revin noticed that Thorond looked forlorn at the fact that he was forsaking his oath to help.

Thorond shook his head and ran through the other side. Revin and their new friend Nodar trailed in behind.

Silence fell, and soon after a shadowy figure loomed through the arch and slowly trudged past the motionless shapes of ancient men. As he passed, they seemed to wither in his shadow.

Quoting Aloysius Carnell
Nerogue was only formed recently, that's why we have little history... We stand up for justice, we would never do a thing like that... Make it an outlaw band or something, it would be much more likely.

I see that now. Back then, I didn't know there was a history for everyone. I thought each person could make up their own history. I hadn't really read anything about each faction. I stand corrected. :P

Nerogue was only formed recently, that's why we have little history... We stand up for justice, we would never do a thing like that... Make it an outlaw band or something, it would be much more likely.